January 10, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
The First Sunday After the Epiphany
(Please have available a candle, bread, wine or juice)
(Officiant 1) -
Opening Acclamation
Officiant: Blessed be God: the One who Creates, Redeems and Sustains us.
People:
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
(Officiant 1) –
Collect
Almighty God, your Spirit swept over the waters of creation; you are sweeping over us now, creating something new. Call us away from the distractions of the world to experience what You are doing now, in us, and through us, and in our world. Open us to a new awakening, a new beginning, where we look through the lens of the goodness of Your creation, experiencing all possibilities in You. Turn us away from the negative lens, and lead us to the light. In the name of Jesus, who leads us into life, we pray.
Amen. - by Rev. Mindi
A Reading from the Hebrew Testament Lesson Mary Gordon
Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God
’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Pause to reflect on reading.
Today’s Psalm is Psalm 29 (please read together the bolded lines).
Ascribe to the Lord, you gods,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name;
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders;
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe
and strips the forests bare.
And in the temple of the Lord
all are crying, "Glory!"
The Lord sits enthroned above the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.
The Lord shall give strength to his people;
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
A Reading from the Greek Testament Lesson
Acts 19:1-7 Allen Hill
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God
’s people.
Thanks be to God.
(Deacon) -
The Gospel Mark 1:4-11
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily The Rev. Marya DeCarlen
(Officiant 1) –
Hymn
Down by the Jordan
1. Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,
Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:
"God will forgive! Show that you'll change how you live!
Surely God's new day is rising!"
2. There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:
"Are you God's Chosen One, sent here to rescue our nation?"
"No!" John replied. "He who is mightier than I
Judges and offers salvation."
3. Jesus, you went to be baptized with all of the others,
Taking your place among sinners, God's lost sons and daughters.
Then with great love, God's Spirit came as a dove!
Your work began in those waters.
4. Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God's Spirit.
Freed and forgiven, we're welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?
This is God's sign! This is how God says, "You're mine!"
Let's take the good news and share it!
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant: - Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant: - Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant: - Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Celebrant: - Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?
People: I will, with God's help.
Celebrant: - Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People: I will, with God's help.
Celebrant: - Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: I will, with God's help.
Celebrant: - Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God's help.
Celebrant: - Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God's help.
Final Baptismal Promise
Celebrant: - Will you cherish the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty and integrity of all creation?
People: I will, with God’s help.
(Reflective Pause and Discernment for Promises offered)
Blessing after Promises
May Our Creator, who holds the Earth as an artist holds a brush and palette, fill your imagination so that you always find the world inspiring and wonderful. May God, whose beauty shines on you, journey with you as God says to you, “you are my beloved.” Amen
Prayers of the People Erika Bianchi
Let us pray to God, who is made manifest in Jesus Christ.
As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come”; empower your Church, O God, to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus, which pierces even the deepest darkness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As a star rose high into the nighttime sky to draw the nations to the Christ-child; send your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation, and draw the whole world to your peace and truth. We pray for Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Alan and Gayle, our Bishops, Marya, our priest, Jim, our deacon, and Brett, our seminarian. In our Diocesan cycle of prayer, we ask for prayers for the people and ministry of the Parishes of the Boston Harbor Deanery: Emmanuel Church, Boston; St. Augustine’s and St. Martin’s Church, Boston; Deans; Deanery Coconveners; and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As John the Baptist guided throngs of people to the edge of the wilderness and baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, we pray that you would guide our country and our leaders in the ways of justice and righteousness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Like the Magi who traveled from afar to bring gifts and celebrate the Savior’s birth; we pray for this community, and for those who celebrate their own birthdays and anniversaries; especially Joe Coulson, Bruce Symmes, Renee Witham, Sue Spencer, and Nancy Crowley. Are there other thanksgivings?
We will pause while people add their prayers. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As Jesus climbed the mountaintop, and proclaimed blessings on the people of the world; we pray for all who suffer, bless them and honor their presence with us, as we ask for your healing touch for the sick, the homebound, patients, families, and communities affected by substance use, and also by untreated and under-treated pain and chronic diseases, and whose needs are known to you. Today we pray especially for
Carol,
Heather,
Katie,
Holly,
Lenny and
Ken Bouffard,
Carolyn Dennis,
Lizzie,
Harry,
Susan Sahoveyor,
Jordan Zennia,
Drew Howard,
Mary Pettus,
Frank, Pat and
Steven Swasey,
Bernadette, the
Fiorentino Family,
Leah Olendenski,
Gail,
Paul,
Rick, Julie, Tim, Miriam Gelfer,
Carol Quinn,
Rosemary G.,
Lisa, Paul and
Oz Ozkan,
David and
Linda King,
David and
Ann Gentry,
Amy,
Charles Boulanger,
Larry Chisholm,
Joe Maher,
Victoria, Sharon, Bob Lomprey,
Sharon, Peter, Amy, and Charlotte Are there others?
The people add their prayers for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As Jesus called his disciples to leave their nets and boats and follow him; we pray for those who have answered your call to follow Jesus to your Heavenly Kingdom, especially, Bob Coleman. Give him your peace. Are there others? Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, Light of the World, hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light,
that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light, and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy. Amen
. -by Rick Morley
(Officiant 2) -
Offertory Sentences
God, whose giving knows no ending, we offer up the treasure that you have entrusted to us; we offer up the skills and time that you have graciously given to us; we offer up ourselves in service and praise. Receive these gifts by your grace. Multiply and use them through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish Christ’s work of love in the world.
Amen—Written by Joanna Harader,
Shared Agape Meal (bread and wine or juice before each person)
(Officiant 2) -
The Sanctuary Lamp burns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, in celebration of Ken Bouffard’s birthday, given by Carol Bouffard, and in loving memory of Reginald Arnold, given by Gail Arnold and Fran Weil. The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God.
(Deacon)
– Invitation to Share the Feast
Agape is the Greek word for love, and was a love feast of the early Christians. It was a time for sharing nourishment, of food for the body, for thanking God, for prayers, songs, and scripture for the soul, and a time for an offering of money for God's mission in the world.
(Preacher) -
Agape Prayer
We are viewing and hearing others from the hearths of the gathered to celebrate our love of Jesus, to share our faith in Christ, and to listen to one another. We have gathered together for healing…to be renewed. We are ready to be fed. God of all seasons and senses, grant us the sense of your timing to yield gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons. In this Advent season of short days and long nights, of grey and white and cold, teach us the lessons of endings; children growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying, grieving over, grudges over, blaming over, excuses over. Teach us the lessons of beginnings; that such waitings and endings may be the starting place, a new song, a deeper relationship, a fuller love—in the fullness of your time. Help us to pause, recognize and know Jesus in the sharing of this love feast. May it nourish our bodies, and give us strength to carry out your plan for peace in our lives. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
(Preacher) -
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
(Preacher)
Let each person take a portion of bread and a cup of wine or juice in their hands
(Preacher) - Let us share the feast with each other! Experience the grace of God! Alleluia, Alleluia!!!
Agape Meal
I Am the Bread of Life
(Officiant 2) -
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all grace, may we live in expectation and hope, and may the gifts we have received at this table remind us not only of the gift of your Christ, but of your steady presence among us, that we may act faithfully in response to your love.
Amen (Adapted from progressivechristianity.org)
(Officiant 2) -
The Passing of the Peace
Thanksgiving for the Lay Ministers at All Saints
(Preacher) - Let us thank God for the people in our midst who have responded to Christ’s call to serve, as we are called to be a community of faith, both in person and virtually. We are grateful especially for our worship readers, ushers, and counters who, in this difficult and confusing time of pandemic, have willingly taken on new roles and duties during Zoom worship, which require serving more frequently. And, for those who attend in-person worship, their role has expanded to reading both lessons, the Psalm and the Prayers, as well as ushering! We give thanks for these dedicated people who willingly give of their time so that our prayer and glory can be engaging, and articulate a sense of your wonder and abundance.
People:
Lord, we know that you call us to use our gifts of love and service in the world in which we live. Amen
(Marya) -
Announcements and Prayers for Birthdays and Anniversaries
(Officiant 2)
: The Lord be with you.
People
: And also with you.
(Officiant 2)
– Final Blessing
The Lord be with you.
People
: And also with you.
May your life be a river; may you flow with the purpose of the One who created and called you, who directs your course and turns you ever toward home. May your way shimmer with the light of Christ who goes with you, who bears you up, who calls you by name .May you move with the grace of the Spirit who brooded over the face of the waters at the beginning, and who will gather you in at the end. Amen.—
Jan Richardson
(Officiant 2) -
Closing Hymn LEVAS 143
Wade in the Water, vs. 3, 4
